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“The ultimate destination for Pokémon fans”: The first permanent Pokémon store outside Asia is coming — and I'm already praying for my bank account
The Pokémon Company has announced plans to open its first permanent physical retail store outside of Asia in London, United Kingdom, by 2029. The store is described as the ultimate destination for fans, promising exclusive merchandise and unique experiences. This London location is the first of several planned international stores.
Everything New In Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5
CD Projekt Red announced Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5, which will include new items and features inspired by the second season of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime. The update is scheduled for release on October 22 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a later release for Switch 2. A new quest serving as a prequel to Edgerunners Season 2 will also be added, featuring voice actors from the anime.
I keep embarrassing myself in front of the nature gods in handpainted 2D roguelike Talaka, whose colourful, combative demo is out now
The handpainted 2D action-roguelike Talaka, which draws heavily from Brazilian culture and mythology, has released a demo during Steam Next Fest. While the author admits to struggling with its combat and floaty platforming, the game's vibrant art style and unique folklore exploration make it a title to watch.
First Permanent Pokémon Store Outside Asia to Open in London by 2029
The first permanent Pokémon store outside of Asia is slated to open in London by 2029. This marks a significant expansion for The Pokémon Company's retail presence.
Cygames offers travel & lodging reimbursement to Umamusume: Pretty Derby US concert attendees
Cygames is offering travel and lodging reimbursement to attendees of the canceled Umamusume: Pretty Derby concert in Los Angeles, even if they have already traveled to the US. This generous move comes after the concert's cancellation, with the company preparing to process these reimbursements in the coming weeks. Attendees will need to retain receipts to qualify for the compensation.
I'm not surprised by how much Yakuza DNA is in Stranger Than Heaven, but I am shocked by how much I love it
Stranger Than Heaven, the latest project from Yakuza developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, blends familiar themes of found family with ambitious storytelling structures. The game explores identity and belonging through the life of protagonist Makoto Daito across multiple eras, featuring a combat system that feels akin to a fighting game and detailed minigames like music composition and show business management.
PAX West 2026 - Maximum Thunderness: Castle Crashers Meets Power Rangers
Maximum Thunderness is a new 3-player co-op roguelite beat-em-up from Berzerk Studio, drawing heavy inspiration from Castle Crashers and 90s Power Rangers aesthetics. The game features vibrant hand-drawn art, auto-scrolling levels, and distinct character classes, emphasizing chaotic fun and replayability through its roguelite upgrade system. It is currently available to wishlist on Steam with an unspecified release date.
Stranger Than Heaven oozes even more style than the Yakuza series
Stranger Than Heaven offers a stylish and engaging experience with a strong narrative focus, set across multiple time periods from 1915 to 1965. While its combat mechanics may require some adjustment, the game boasts a unique aesthetic, engaging side activities like theater management and underground fighting, and a compelling protagonist.
Halo 3 Looks Like It Could Come To Browsers Via Xbox Labs
Xbox chief technology officer Scott Van Vliet posted a video showing Halo 3 booting up within the Microsoft Edge web browser, hinting at potential browser-based gaming through Xbox Labs. This development follows a trend of older games being ported to browsers and suggests a future where Xbox 360 titles could be playable via web interfaces, potentially with cloud saves and customizable dashboards.
Project Helix reportedly launching in late 2028, projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800
Xbox is reportedly planning a next-generation console codenamed 'Project Helix' for a late 2028 launch, with an estimated price of $1,200 to $1,800. The company is also developing a new handheld device for late next year and considering a tiered Game Pass overhaul. These plans come amidst significant restructuring, including layoffs and a reassessment of past business strategies.
COD: Modern Warfare 4 DMZ players are spawning in the middle of a road and being flattened before they can do anything
Players of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's DMZ mode are experiencing an issue where they spawn directly on a road and are immediately run over by enemy AI before they can react. This frustrating bug, which has been noted by multiple players and documented on Reddit, can end a match instantly and lead to the loss of all in-game gear. Infinity Ward has since released a patch to address this specific spawning problem.
From Slots to Skill Trees: Where Xbox and Casino Games Meet
This article analyzes the intersection of Xbox games and casino mechanics, particularly focusing on how elements like wheelspins in Forza Horizon 6 borrow from slot machines. It contrasts these with progression systems in games like Starfield and Sea of Thieves, which lack random elements. The piece clarifies that while games may use casino-like staging, they are not gambling products unless real money can be withdrawn, a distinction highlighted by regulatory frameworks in places like Ontario.
Microsoft is encouraging Xbox owners to sell their consoles in bizarre promotion
Microsoft is reportedly emailing lapsed Xbox owners, encouraging them to trade in their consoles to Best Buy for up to $375. This promotion, aimed at boosting active player numbers and Game Pass subscriptions, has been met with criticism for its optics and the current low sales of Xbox consoles in the US.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV Looks To Right The Wrongs Of Its Predecessor
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV aims to rectify the missteps of its predecessor, Dawn of War III, by returning to the series' roots with a focus on robust base-building and engaging real-time strategy mechanics. Developed by King Art Games, the preview build suggests a faithful melding of the original Dawn of War and Dawn of War II's best elements, offering a more active and strategic experience.
It's not just Xbox celebrating 25 years - retro translucent green tech is taking over
In celebration of Xbox's 25th anniversary, various brands like 8BitDo, GameSir, and Razer are releasing retro-themed translucent green gaming accessories. These officially licensed products, ranging from charging docks to keyboards and mice, evoke a nostalgic '90s aesthetic and are available now, unlike the limited edition Xbox X25 console which faces pre-order difficulties.
Battlefield 6 x Dead Space Event Adds New Layer to PvE
Battlefield 6 is hosting a limited-time Halloween event called Dead Space: Convergence, which transforms Area 51 into a 16-player PvE battleground. Players fight against corrupted soldiers and Markers from the Dead Space series, earning currency for themed rewards. This non-canon crossover introduces the DS-23 Pulse Rifle and Dead Space-inspired cosmetics, marking an ambitious experiment for Battlefield's live-service model.
Here's our second wave of Xbox Game Pass games for October 2026
Microsoft has announced the second wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in October 2026. The additions include the console debuts of The Séance of Blake Manor and Mouthwashing, alongside Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. Several games are also departing the service.
Football Manager 27 will be free to play for five days before its full release, in "industry first" for a game of its kind
Sports Interactive will offer Football Manager 27 for free on PC and Mac for five days starting October 29th, an initiative they describe as an industry first. This free period precedes the pre-order launch preview and the full game release on November 10th. The move comes after a challenging year for the franchise with the release of Football Manager 26, which transitioned to the Unity engine.
Games like Call of Duty and EA Sports FC most at risk of losing players during GTA 6 launch, according to new data
New data from gaming consultancy Open World suggests that titles like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and EA Sports FC are most at risk of losing players during the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. The analysis indicates that competitive shooters and sports games, along with driving and high-stakes session games, are most likely to see player migration. Developers are advised to avoid major content updates or marketing pushes during GTA 6's launch window to mitigate player loss.
Chinese repair centre has received 7 melted 12+4-pin Nvidia GPUs in just the past two days alone
A Chinese repair center has reported receiving seven melted Nvidia GPUs, primarily RTX 5090 models along with some RTX 4090s from Asus and MSI, due to issues with the 12+4-pin power connector. The problem involves burnt interfaces and melted connectors, affecting cards from various manufacturers. While some users are experiencing issues, the article suggests monitoring power draw and temperatures as a preventative measure.
